Moored at Reykjavík Harbour, the ICGV Óðinn today serves as a tangible reminder of Iceland’s longstanding dependence on the sea. As the oldest member of the Icelandic Coast Guard’s fleet, Óðinn now stands as a museum ship, offering insight into decades of maritime history, political struggles, and rescue missions that shaped both Iceland’s national identity and its place in North Atlantic affairs.
Decades of patrol and crisis response
Launched in 1959 and commissioned into service in early 1960, Óðinn’s career spanned critical events in Icelandic waters. The vessel’s role was not limited to routine patrols; it operated at the centre of three mid-20th-century stand-offs between Iceland and the United Kingdom, later referred to as the Cod Wars. These confrontations had lasting consequences for international fishing rights, with Óðinn frequently encountering British trawlers and occasionally resorting to dramatic interventions, such as firing upon vessels or disabling their fishing gear.
Beyond international disputes, the patrol ship played a crucial role as an emergency responder. Over its active years, Óðinn assisted some 200 ships experiencing mechanical breakdowns, fires, or damaged fishing equipment, and managed to tow 14 grounded vessels to safety. Its crew often faced severe conditions, and three times they rescued the entire crews of stranded ships. The ship’s efforts extended to pulling vessels off treacherous Icelandic coasts during storms and saving those on the verge of sinking.
From active service to museum life
After nearly half a century in service, Óðinn was withdrawn from active duty in 2006. A new chapter began in 2008 when the vessel was given over to the Friends of Óðinn association and set up as an exhibit at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum. Restoration efforts started in 2014 aimed at making the ship seaworthy again. By 2020, Óðinn left its mooring for the first time in over ten years to undergo engine testing.
In May 2022, the vessel received an updated certificate of seaworthiness by the national transport authorities, marking its return not just as a museum piece but as an operational ship. This was highlighted in June 2022, when the President of Iceland and the Japanese ambassador journeyed aboard Óðinn from Reykjavík to the fishing town of Grindavík as part of a national holiday celebrating seafarers.
The ship is also notable for its engines, built by Burmeister & Wain. These engines are believed to be the last of their type still in working condition anywhere in the world.
The vessel’s cultural significance is reflected in smaller details as well. During the Cod Wars, Óðinn even collided with the British sidewinder trawler Arctic Corsair. Decades later, the two ships, both preserved as museum ships in their respective countries, exchanged bells as a gesture of goodwill.
Óðinn’s story is also woven into popular culture, having appeared alongside another Icelandic Coast Guard ship, Týr, in the 2005 filming of Flags of Our Fathers. During production, the crew rescued a landing boat from crashing onto the rocky coast, a fitting moment for a ship with a long tradition of saving lives at sea.
Sources
- Wikipedia
- Wikipedia (Icelandic) in Icelandic
